Jackson Free Press

Things are so bad in the Gannett world (including layoffs nationwide, and 5 percent of The Clarion-Ledger staff, and dropping revenue and see-saw stock prices) that rumors are flying about what the company might try to do to save itself. Over on the very-active Gannett Blog, a tipster says that Gannett papers may "go nuclear"—in this case, apparently meaning to fold the local editions and become different editions of the national USA Today.

" ... I got an e-mail from a former colleague detailing the "tip/rumor/street talk" that flew around one state last Friday where Gannett now does business.

Here's the gist of my tipster's note: "Gannett is considering dropping daily production of 10-12 of its U.S. papers, and folding a local news section or sections into USA Today, which the company would attempt to circulate to local readers as the primary daily newspaper."

What's more, my tipster says, employees at one newspaper in particular have "heard that their paper is one of the 10-12 on the list." I'm not going to identify that paper. But assuming this tip is good, I'm hoping those employees step forward here with more details.

Previous Comments

ID

133451

Comment

which the company would attempt to circulate to local readers as the primary daily newspaper." What's really wacky is that Gannett might, just might entertain the notion that that would work. Will they ever understand that they committed suicide by taking their eye off the news ball and hiring so many people who don't know how to inspire, motivate and lead high-quality news operations? I really, really wish they would now try to pass off USA Today as a "local" paper. That would (almost?) be worse than what they've already been trying to pass off as a "local" newspaper in Mississippi. I guess you could argue that it would be more honest. But it wouldn't save them.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-22T12:13:24-06:00

ID

133455

Comment

Any thoughts on making JFP a daily? With delivery in my driveway every morning? Please say you will...

Author

Rico

Date

2008-08-22T12:35:30-06:00

ID

133474

Comment

Rico...aren't you up in the 'burbs? ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2008-08-22T15:08:15-06:00

ID

133475

Comment

Rico...the JFP is a daily...online. I really think the printed newspaper is on the way out. We have a really good free paper in Nashville that used to print daily. It also has a really cool web page. However, a few months back it made the decision to only print a Monday and Friday edition and to focus more on the web site. These days, that's where most people get their news.

Author

James Hester

Date

2008-08-22T15:20:57-06:00

ID

133479

Comment

Yeah I know; and I am doing more reading on the computer these days too. But I like walking out on the driveway every morning in my bathrobe to get my paper. It's so.... suburban!

Author

Rico

Date

2008-08-22T15:32:15-06:00

ID

133480

Comment

I like having the paper delivered—or used to, back before the "local" daily option was The Clarion-Ledger. I hate somebody having the gall to throw a paper in my yard that I don't want, though. That's like getting ads on my cell phone. However, the model is changing fast. Our model (which introduced blogging and user-generated content to the market in 2002) has the Ledger dancing on one foot because it is more the wave of the future than a newspaper thrown in your yard that is dated by the time it hits the ground. So, yes, we are a daily online—and will become more so, even as we continue to give readers other useful and local Web and print products (like Jackpedia.com, Lounge List, jfpevents.com, Boom Jackson and others to be announced. ;-) And all the while, we will not desert our core compentency: solid, indepth reporting. That is, please think of us as your local daily. As we continue to grow and our resources allow, we will do more coverage than ever online daily. And thank you for all your support in helping us get to this point. The future is bright. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-22T15:39:43-06:00